Truck side frame



' June 12, 1934.

TRUCK S IDE FRAME 2, Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 30.

2" Sheets-Sheet 2.

Filed got. 50. 1929 jg g Mk6 5. M of II/Illa Patented June 12, 1934 1.962.442 TRUCK sum FRAME William G. Hedgcock, Wilmette, Ill., assignor to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New Jersey Application October 30, 1929, Serlal. No. 403,391

44 Claims. (Cl. 105-205) certain classes of railway service, the requirements for definite rigidity and minimum deflection under maximum imposed loads in the face of a definite weight limitation create difficult prob-' lems, and metal must be distributed where it is most efficacious, care being exercised to insure that the internal fibre stresses remain within reasonable limits. It has been determined by tests on side frames that one of the locations which is critical as affecting the strength of the frame, is the corner above the'inner side of the journal box, where the diagonal tension member of the side frame joins the fiat top of the journal box, and that the strength of this position is influenced by the strength and rigidity of the side walls of the side frame above these points. There is a tendency at these points for two kinds of distortion, either or both of which may cause excessive deflection, and they are both due to the tendency of the metal to distort in an attempt toseek the straightest and most direct line between two points under load. Test results have also shown that there is a tendency of the side walls of the section of the frame adjacent the journal boxes to bulge under loads so that some reinforcement of the walls is desirable. It has further been found that where the top wall or roof of the journal box is flat, there is, due to its engagement over the convex wall of the wedge, a tendency for the roof to bend downward toward the convex surface of the wedge.

It has also been determined by tests on side frames that the strength of the frame is influenced by the stiffness of the compression member. Since the compression member acts in the nature of a column there is a tendency for it to buckle or bow out of its proper alignment. Since it is also subjected to flexure due to the entire truss deflection of the frame there is also a tendency for the combined flexural andcompressive action to cause the uppermost wall of the compression member to buckle in a cup-like shape in small localized areas.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a side frame combining maximum rigidity and stiffness within a definite weight and fibre stress limitation through proper positioning of members of the frame and correct disposition of the metal thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a side frame of a design to successfully fulfill all requirements of manufacture and service and one which successfully performs these functions withgut any substantial addition to the weight of the rame.

Still another object is to provide a side frame no wherein the tendencies for distortion of the various parts, especially under load, is effectively frustrated.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consist of certain novel features 55 of construction and operation, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended hereto.

In'the drawings, which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure 1 is a top plan view of one form of side frame embodying theinvention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the truck side frame illustrated 'in' Figure 1; I Figure 3 isan enlarged fragmentary 'sectional elevation through a portion of the journal box and associated frame members, the same be- 30 ing taken substantially in the plane as indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation through the junction of a portion of the journal box and associated frame member of the side frame construction embodying the invention;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional elevation through the junction of the journal box and associated frame member, the same being taken substantially in the plane as indicated by the line 5--5 of Figures 2 and 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation through the tension member of the side frame construction, the same being taken substantially in the plane as indicated by the line 6-6 of Figure 2;and

Figure 7 is a sectional elevation of the compression member of the truck side frame, the same being taken substantially in the plane as indicated by the line 7-7 of Figure 2.

Referring now particularly to the modification of the side frame illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, though it will be understood that the frame members are substantially the same for all modifications, the side frame includes a top chord or compression member 10 having a substantially horizontal centrally disposed member 11 merging into diagonally disposed downwardly extending compression members 12. The top chord member is of substantially channel section, as illustrated particularly in Figure '7, having an upper or topwall 14 connecting side walls 16 provided with inwardly extending reinforcing flange portions 18, these flanges forming edges of lightening'holes 20 whereby there are formed transverse connecting portions 22 of said chord member.

The top wall 14 of the centrally disposed member 11 is substantially parallel sided and merges into a tapered wall 24 extending toward and rounded at the ends to merge into journal boxes 30 integrally formed therewith. The compression members 12 merge with diagonally disposed upwardly extending tension members 26, which tension and compression members are formed at their junction with a portion 28 disposed above and integrally formed with journal boxes 30, there being provided a gusset portion 32 formed integral with the journal boxes and the tension members 26, said gussets being shown as provided with lightening holes 34. The tension members 26 are substantially U-section, as shown in Figure 6, being provided with a lower wall or web 36 provided with upwardly extending flanges 38 terminating with reinforcing portions 40 formed thereon. The inclined tension members 26 are formed with and joined by a substantially horizontally extending chord 42 provided with spring seats 46 for bolster carrying springs' The tension and compression members are joined .with vertically extending columns 48, said columns being provided with the usual guide portions 50 for cooperative engagement with the usual truck bolster.

The general zone above the innerside of the journal box where strength and rigidity of the side walls of the side frame is desired, is ach'acent the section as indicated by the line 3-3. Since the upper part of this section is in compression and the lower part of this section is subjected to a combination of tensional stresses, it is more important to have additional metal at the lower part of this section than at the upper part, that is, it is more important to have the additional metal at the junction between the flat roof 52 of the journal box and the wall 36 of the tension member.

In order to effect the thickening of the walls without too great addition to the, weight of the journal box, the side walls 54 are tapered upwardly and radially, as shown in Figure 3 and by the radial lines in Figure 2, said side walls merging into the roof portion 56 forming a box-like structure above the journal box. It will be seen that the roof of the journal box is flat and rests upon the convex surface of the top of the wedge 58 and therefore, there is a tendency for the roof of the journal box to bend downward toward the convex surface of the wedge. By placing this increased thickness at the bottom of the side walls on the inside of the side walls, the length of the effective beam portion of the journal box roof, that is, the distance between the walls 54 measured at their junction with the wall'52,is decreased, thereby increasing the stiffness of the journal box roof and increasing its resistance to deflection.

Referring now more particularly to the modification illustrated in Figure 4, which is adaptable for use either with or without the thickening of the side walls as in Figure 3, the general construction of the side frame may be substantially the same as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The bottom web member 36 of the tension member 26 merges into and joins the top wall 52 of the journal box 30. The diagonal tension member 26, in the usual construction, has its bottom face 67 disposed on a line tangential with the corner 62 of the journal box 30. Through its truss formation in the side frame, the diagonal tension member 26 therefore imposes a diagonal pull on the corner 62 of the journal box which, in the usual construction, is at a distance removed from the corner 64 of the supporting wedge 58. There is therefore a tendency, in the usualconstruction, for the junction of the tension member with the corner of the journal box to deflect and to tend to straighten out.

In the construction shown in Figure 4, the side wals disposed above the journal box may be of substantially uniform thickness throughout, as at 154 in Figure 5, or they may be thickened, as in the construction shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, being joined at the top by top wall 56. The bot- 'tom surface 67 of the tension member web 36 is carried to a junction substantially tangent with the radius at the corner 62 of the journal box 30, as in the usual construction, this being desirable for manufacturing purposes. However, the upper face 68 of the tension web 36, which is substantially parallel to the lower surface 67, is continued diagonally upward beyond the point 62 to a point 66 substantially above the corner 64 of the wedge 58, i. e., substantially in a vertical plane through corner 64 adjacent the wedge lug 65. This in effect. continues the web of the tension member diagonally beyond its point of junction 62 at the corner of the journal box and continues this diagonal line to a point near and above the point of support at 64, thus avoiding a change in direction materially outside of the point of support, whereby resistanceof the entire zone is increased against deflection. The continuation of this di-.

agonal member to a point above corner 64 also entails an increase in thickness of the top wall 52 of the journal box to effectively join 1 with the diagonal tension web, which thickness is that from point 64 to point 66. This increase in thickness also increases the resistance of the corner against deflection from the diagonal pull of the tension member, and likewise increases the beam or girder strength of the roof of the journal box between the side walls 54 (154) whereby the roof 52 is stiffened against its tendency to bend to the same contour as the convex surface of the wedge as has already been explained with reference to the construction shown in Figure -3.

The usual cross-section of tension and compression members in side frame construction is substantially as shown in Figure 6, having vertical parallel side walls or flanger 38 joined by a horizontal flat web 36 with reinforcements in the form of beads 40 at the outer edges of the flanges. When used in the tension member this section is in the position shown in Figure 6, with the web 36 at the bottom, but when used as a compression member the position of the section is inverted with the web 36 usualy at the top of the section. This usual cross-sectional form is not entirely satisfactory for use as a compression member since it lacks the desired rigidity and stiffness to resist buckling and distortion under compressive loads.

Under severe loads of this nature the member having this section has a tendency to buckle in a bow-like manner, which action usually follows local collapse of the web 36 into a cup-like formation. Failure of the compression member to perform its function with the necessary stiffness and rigidity impairs the strength of the whole side frame.

Referring now to the cross-section of the compression member as shown in Figure '7, it will be seen that it has vertical side walls 16 joined at the top by an arched web 14 and reinforced at the edges of the side walls by reentrant flanges 18,

so that the whole partakes of the nature of a partial box-like section having an opening 20. In its incorporation within side frame structure the section actually partakes of the nature of a box-like section, being entirely box-like in the positions where webs 22 complete the junction of the flanges 18, and between the webs 22, having the section-as in Figure 7 due to the presence of the lightening holes 20, At the positions between the webs 22, and where the lightening hole 20 occurs, as in the section at Figure 7, the reentrant flanges 18 are of a greater inward projection than mere beads and thereby impart suflicient lateral stiffness to the side walls 16 to materially stiffen. them against flaring. This reen rant flange reinforcement with the webs 22,

in effect provides an approach to a rectangular tubular construction for the compression member, which providesgreat stiffness and rigidity against buckling. In the localized cup-like action of the flat web of the usual compression member, resulting from combined flexure and compression, the cup-like depression habiiuallyforms downwardly. By arching this web as at 14in Figure 7, the tendency to form a cup-like depression is effectively counteracted.

The constructions herein described place the metal where it does the most good without 1he wastefulness of general increase in thickness at points where it is not necessary, whereby the dead weight of the truck would also be increased, and it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiment of the device shown, which is merely by way of illustration and not limitation, as various and other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a truck side frame, the combination of an upper compression member, a lower tension member, a journal box integrally formed therewith, and a section overlying said journal box formed by the merging of said members adjacent ends thereof and havingside walls, said side walls being of increased thickness adjacent the said journal box, ihe thickness changing radially.

2. In a truck sideframe, the combination of'an upper compression member, a lower tension member having a web portion, a journal box integrally formed with said members and disposed so that the said web portion merges into said journal box adjacent a corner thereof, a section of the junction of said members adjacent said journal box being of subsqantially box section having side walls decreasingin thickness substantially radi-' ally from a point adjacent the-junction of said web portion and said comer of said journal box.

3. In a side frame, the combination of a tension member, a compression member joined therewith, said compression member having a web portion flanged and reflanged to form reentrant'portions, the flanges of said compression member extending toward said tension member, the web portion being arched outwardly from said reentrant portions.

4. In a truck side frame, the combination of an upper compression member, a lower tension member, a journal box integrally formed therewith, said members merging into each oLher at a. section adjacent said box, said section being provided with a wall decreasing in thickness from a point adjacent the junction of one of said members and said box.

' 5. In a truck side frame, the combination of an upper compression member, a lower tension member, a journal box integrally formed therewith, said members merging inc each other at a section adjacent said box, said section being provided with a wall decreasing in thickness from a point adjacent the junction of said tension member and said box. I 6. In a truck side frame, the-combination of an upper compression member, a lower tension member, a journal box integrally formed therewith, said members merging into each other at a section adjacent said box, said section being of substantially box section having side walls decreasing in thickness from a point adjacent the junction of one of said members and said journal box.

7. In a truck side frame, the combination of an upper compression member, a lower tension member, a journal box integrally formed therewi h, said members merging into each other at a section adjacent said box, said section being of substantially box section having side walls decreasing in thicknessfrom a point adjacent the Lunction of said tension member and said journal 8. In a. truck side frame, the combination of junction of one of said members and said journal box, and a bottom wall of increased thickness between said side walls.

9. In a truck side frame, the combination of an upper compression member, a lower tension member, a journal box integrally formed therewith, said members merging into each other at a section adjacent said box, said section being of substantially box section having side walls decreasing in thickness from a point adjacent the junction of said tension member and said journal box, and a bottomwall of increased thickness between said side walls.

10. In a truck side frame, the combination of an-upper compression member, a lower tension member, a journal box integrally formed therewith; said members merging into each other at a section adjacent said box, said section being of substantially box section having side walls decreasing in thickness substantially radially from a point adjacent the junction of one of said members and said journal box.

11. In a truck side frame, the combination of an upper compression member, a lower tension member, a journal box integrally formed therewith, said membersmerging into each other at a section adjacent said box, said section being of substantially box section having side walls decreasing in thickness substantially radially from a point adjacentthe junction of said tension member and said journal box.

12. In a truck side frame, the combination of an upper compression member, a lower tension member having a web portion, a journal box integrally formed with said members and disposed so that the said web portion merges into said journal. box adjacent a corner thereof, a section of the junction of said members adjacent said journal box being of substantially box section having side walls decreasing in thickness substantially radially from a point adjacent the junction of said web portion and said corner of said journal box, the thickness of said side walls being varied on the inside of the box section.

13. In a side frame, the combination of a compression member, said compression member having a web portion flanged and reflanged to form reentrant portions, the web portion being arched.

14. In a side frame, the combination of a compression member, said compression member hav- .ing a web portion flanged and reflanged to form reentrant portions, the web portion being arched outwardly from said reentrant portions.

15. In a'side frame, the combination of a compression member, said compression member having a web portion flanged and reflanged to form reentrant portions, the web portion being arched, and a tension'member integral with said compression member, said tension member having a web portion and flange portions extending toward said compression member.

16. In a side frame, the combination of a compression member, said compression member having a web portion flanged and reflanged to form reentrant portions, the web portion being arched outwardly from said reentrant portions, and a tension member integral with said compression member, said tension member having a web portion and flange portions extending toward said compression member. I i

17. In aside frame, the combination of a tension member, a compression member and a journal box integraltherewith, awedge lug disposed in said journal box adjacent the junction of said compression and tension members, said tension andcompression ,members having a portion above said journal box, said journal box having a roof terminating in sides of said box. the lower face of said tension member being substantially tangent toone of the comers of said-journal-box defined by the roof and side, and the upper face of said tension member being continuedto a point substantially above said wedge lug, the walls of said portion above said journal box being thickened radially from one of said points.

18. In a side frame, the combination of a tension member, a compression member and a journal box integral therewith, a wedge lug disposed in said journal box adjacent the junction of said compression and tension members, said tension and compression members having a portion above said journal box,'said journal box having a roof terminating in sides of said box, the tension and compression members merging into each other adjacent the inner corner of the box defined by aside and saidroof, the lower face of said, tension member being substantialiy tangent to said inner corner and adjacent saidwedge lug, the walls of said portion above said journal box being thickened radially from a point on said tension member outwardly of the point of tangency. 19. A truck side frame including spaced journal boxes having wedge lugs, a side frame member connecting said journal boxes, said side frame member having spaced walls merging into walls overlying said journal boxes, said side frame member-having a chord connecting said walls,

the roofs of said journal boxes connecting said second named walls, said chord merging into said roofs adjacent a corner of said journal boxes, one

of said walls radially changing in thickness from a point substantially invertical alignment with one of the wedge lugs.

20. A truck side frame including spaced journal boxes having wedge lugs, a side frame member connecting said journal boxes, said side frame member having spaced walls merging into walls overlying said journal boxes, said side frame member having a chord connecting said walls, the roofs of said journalboxes connecting said second named walls, said chord merging into said roofs adjacent the inner corners of said journal boxes, one of said walls radially changing in thickness from a point substantially in vertical alignment with one of the wedge lugs.

21. A truck side frame including spaced journal boxes having wedge lugs, a side frame member connecting 'said journal boxes, said side frame member having spaced walls merging into walls overlying said journal boxes, said side frame member having a bottom chord connecting said walls, the roofs of said journal boxes connecting said second named walls, said chord merging into said roofs adjacent a comer of said joiu'nal boxes, one of said walls radially changing in thickness from a point substantially in vertical alignment with one of the wedge lugs.

22. A truck side frame including spaced journal boxes having wedge lugs, a side frame member connecting said journal boxes, said side frame member having spaced walls merging into walls overlying said journal boxes, said side frame member having a chord connecting said walls, the roofs of said journal boxes connecting said second named walls, said chord merging into said roofs adjacent a corner of said journal boxes, one of said walls radially tapering in thickness internally thereof from a point substantially in vertical alignment :with'one of said wedge lugs.

23. A truck side frame including spaced journal boxes having wedge lugs, a side frame member connecting said journal boxes, said side frame member having spaced walls merging into walls overlying said journal boxes, said side frame member having a chord connecting said walls, the roofs of said journal boxes connecting said second named walls, said chord merging into said roofs adjacent the inner corners of said journal boxes, one of said walls radially tapering in thickness internally thereof from a point substantially in vertical alignment with one of said wedge lugs.

24. A truck side frame including spaced journal boxes having wedgelugs, a side frame member connecting said journal boxes, said side frame member having spaced walls merging into walls overlying said journal boxes, said side frame member having a bottom chord connecting said walls, the roofs of said journal boxes connecting said second named walls, said chord merging into said roofs adjacent a corner of said journal boxes, one of said walls radially tapering in thickness internally thereof from a point substantially in vertical alignment with one of said wedge lugs.

25. In a side frame, the combination of a connecting member having a web portion flanged and reflanged to form reentrant portions, the web portion being arched.

26. In a truck side frame, the combination of an upper compression member, a lower tension member, a journal box integrally formed therewith and'having wedge lugs, said members merging into each other at a section adjacent said box, said section being of substantially box section having .side walls tapering in thickness substantially radially from a point substantially in vertical alignment with one of said wedge lugs, the taper .occurring on the inside of said box section.

2'7. ,A truck side frame including spaced journal boxes having wedge lugs, a side frame .member connecting said journal boxes, said side frame member having spaced walls merging into walls overlying said journal boxes, said side frame member having a chord connecting said'walls, the roofs of said journal boxes connecting said second named walls, said chord merging into said roofs adjacent a corner of said journal boxes, each of said walls radially changing in thickness from a point substantially in vertical alignment with one ofothe wedgeslugs.

28. A truck side frame including spaced journal boxes having wedge lugs, a side frame member connecting said journal boxes, said side frame member having spaced walls merging into walls overlying said journal boxes, said side frame member having a chord connecting said walls, the roofs of said journal boxes connecting said second named walls, said chord merging into said roofs adjacent the inner corners of said journal boxes, each of said walls radially changing in thickness from a point substantially in vertical alignment with one of the wedge lugs.

29. A truck side frame including spaced journal boxes having wedge lugs, a side frame-member connecting said journal boxes, said side frame member having spaced walls merging into walls overlying said journal boxes, said side frame member having a bottom chord connecting said walls, the roofs of said journal boxes connecting said second named walls, said chord merging into said roofs adjacent a corner of said journal boxes, each of said walls radially changing in thickness from a point substantially in vertical alignment with one of the wedge lugs.

30. A truck side frame including spaced journal boxes having wedge lugs, a side frame member connecting said journal boxes, said side frame member having spaced walls merging into walls overlying said journal boxes, said side frame member having a .chord connecting said walls, the roofs of said journal boxes connecting said second named walls, said chord merging into said roofs adjacent a corner of said journal boxes, each of said walls radially tapering in thickness internally thereof from a point substantiallyin vertical alignment with one of said wedge lugs.

31. A truck side frame including spaced journal boxes having wedge lugs, a side frame member connecting said journal boxes, said side frame member having spaced walls merging into walls overlying said journal boxes, said side frame member having a chord connecting said walls,

the roofs of said journal'boxes connecting said second named walls, said chord merging into said roofs adjacent the inner corners of said journal boxes, each of said walls radially tapering in thickness internally thereof from a point substantially in vertical alignment with one of said wedge lugs.

32. A truck side frame including spaced journal boxes having wedge lugs, a side frame member connecting said'journal boxes, said side frame member having spaced walls overlying said journal boxes, said side frame member having abottom chord connecting said walls, the roofs of said journal boxes connecting said second named walls, said chord merging into said roofs adjacent a comer of said journal boxes, each of said walls radially tapering in thickness internally thereof from a point substantially in vertical alignment with one of said wedge lugs.

33. A truck side frame including spaced journal boxes, a side frame member connecting said journal boxes, said side frame member having spaced walls merging into walls overlying said journal boxes, saidside frame member having a chord connecting said walls, the roofs of said journal boxes connecting said second named walls, said chord merging into said roofs adjacent a corner of said journal boxes, each of said walls radially changing in thickness from a point disposed substantially inwardly of a plane through one of the vertical walls of the journal boxes.

34. A truck side frame including spaced journal boxespa side frame member connecting said journal boxes, said side frame member having spaced walls merging into walls overlying said journal boxes. said side frame member having a chord connecting said walls, the roofs of said journal boxes connectingsaid second named walls, said chord merging into said roofs adjacent a corner of said journal boxes, each of said walls radially changing in thickness from point disposed substantially inwardly of a plane through the inner vertical walls of each journal box.

35. In a truck side frame, the combination of tension and compression members and spaced integrally connecting columns forming a window therewith, said tension and compression members merging adjacent the opposite ends thereof into portions overlying and integral with said journal boxes, one of said portions including spaced walls radially changing in thickness from a point disposed substantially inwardly of a plane through one of the vertical walls of one of said journal boxes.

36. In a truck side frame, the combination of tension and compression members and spaced integrally connecting columns forming-a window therewith, said tension and compression members merging adjacent the opposite ends thereof into portions overlying and integral with said journal boxes, one of said portions including spaced walls radially changing in thickness-from a point disposed substantially inwardly of a plane through the inner vertical walls of each journal box.

3'7. A truck side frame including spaced journal boxes, a side frame member integrally connecting said journal boxes and having portions overlying said journal boxes, each of said portions and another portion of said frame member radially changing in thickness from a point disposed subvertical walls of the journal boxes.

38. A truck side frame including spaced journal boxes, a side frame member integrally connecting said journal boxes and having portions overlying said journal boxes, each of said portions and another portion of said .frame member radially changing in thickness from a point disposed substantially inwardly of a plane through the inner walls of each journal box.

39. A truck side frame including spaced journal boxes, a side frame member integrally connecting said journal boxes and having portions overlying said journal boxes, each of said portions and another portion of said frame member radially tapering in thickness from a point disposed substantially inwardly of a plane through the inner walls of each journal box.

40. A truck side frame including spaced journal boxes, a side frame member integrally connecting said journal boxes and having portions overlying said journal boxes, each of said portions and another portion of said frame member radially tapering in thickness from a point disposed substantially inwardly of a plane through one .of the vert cal walls of the journal boxes.

41. A truck side frame including tension and compression members and integrally connecting columns forming a window therewith, said tension and compression members merging adjacent the opposite ends thereof and provided with integrally formed journal boxes, sa'd side frame having portions of the merged tension and compression members overlying said journal boxes, the said portions radially changing in thickness from a point disposed substantially inwardly of a plane through one of the vertical walls of each of the journal boxes.

42. A truck s'de frame including tension and compression members and integrally connecting columns forming a window therewith, said tension and compression members merging adjacent the ends thereo-f and provided with integrally formed journal boxes, said side frame having portions of the merged tension and compression members overlying said journal boxes, the said portions radially changing'in thickness from a point disposed substantially inwardly of a plane through the inner walls of each journal box.

43. A truck side frame including tension and compression members and integrally connecting columns forming a window therewith, said tension and compression members merging adjacent the ends thereof and provided with integrally formed journal boxes, said side frame having portions of the merged tension and compression members overlying said journal boxes, the said portions radially tapering in thickness from a point disposed substantially inwardly of a plane through one of the vertical walls of each of the journal boxes.

44. A truck side'frame including tension and compression members and integrally connecting columns forming a window therewith, said tension and compression members merging adjacent the ends thereof and provided with integrally formed journal boxes, said side frame having portions of the merged tension and compression members overlying said journalboxes, the said port'ons radially tapering in thickness'from a point disposed substantially inwardly of a plane through the inner walls of each journal box.

WILLIAM C. HEDGCOCK. 

